Christian Benteke’s 88th minute strike ended
Aston Villa’s goal drought and fired the Clarets and Blues into
the fourth round of the FA Cup.
After failing to find the net since December 20th,
Villa’s home fans were finally rewarded with their patience when two minutes
from time the Belgian chested down a Carlos Sanchez cross on the left hand side
of the box and smashed home from 18 yards.
The goal ended their 434 minute goal drought and was a sigh
of relief for the home fans who have had to endure so much frustration over the
Christmas period.
Blackpool, who currently reside bottom of the Championship,
were stern opposition for the Villans and set out with a defensive strategy which frustrated the home side for long periods. Chances for both teams
were few and far between.
Former West Bromwich Albion Ishmael Miller had a good chance
to steal the match in the second half for the Seasiders when he thundered a left-foot shot from
the right hand side of the box but Shay Given stretched out his right hand to tip it over.
With the game heading for a replay and muted strains of 'Lambert Out' echoing around the half empty Villa Park stadium, Benteke pounced to make sure his team were in the hat for the fourth round draw.
After the game Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert said: “We
deserved to win the game. With so much of the
ball it was testament to us. We’ve created chances in the game. Even if you look
at the games of late we have had chances to score.”
Blackpool and former Birmingham manager Lee Clarke was full of praise for his team. “We
played terrifically well and were a threat on the counter. I can only praise my
team, they were excellent,” he said.
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